The Dock Rats of New York | Page 8

I tell you the fellows were mad, and had it been anybody but Renie they'd never have sent another message."
"Does Renie know her letter was intercepted?"
"I don't think she does."
"Why would she want to give the Government officer the 'tip'?"
"No telling about these women, sir, no telling about them; you see this man is a good-looking chap, a very handsome fellow, and he's a daring man, too, and a splendid sailor! It's a pity he wasn't one of the crew. I tell you he saved the lives of all the lads one night off the coast; but he's doomed! He'll never save nobody again!"
"Has he been making love to the girl?"
"No; I reckon he's never seen her, but she's seen him; you see Renie goes under cover sometimes, and she wanders along the shore for hours, and one night she came upon the detective when he was holding a parley with a pal from the city; the gal 'laid low' and overheard all that was said, and at the same time she 'nipped' a letter which the man dropped from his jacket, and thus got down on the whole business; but somehow her heart went ag'in giving the man away, and she writes a letter ready to deliver to him; and by ginger, she mislaid her letter, and my nephew, a rattling little chap, 'nipped' it and gave it to the Cap, and the whole business was out!"
"You are sure there has been no acquaintance between the detective and your daughter?"
"Yes; I am sure of that."
"Why are you sure?"
"Well, I've Renie's word, and that gal would die before she would tell a lie; no, sir, she's never spoke to him, and as she never has, she never will, for his accounts will all be cleared tonight! the lads will have a dead open and shut on him."
"I reckon you've been deceived," said Garcia.
"How so?"
"That gal has known more of this man than you think. She would not warn a stranger that his life, was in peril, especially when that stranger was her father's foe."
"Well, it don't make any difference. She will never see him again!"
"We can't tell about that."
"What do you mean?"
"I'll bet a thousand dollars the man didn't go off on the cruise tonight!"
"Yes, he did."
"Did you see him aboard?"
"No: but I know he went."
"That girl would know that the letter was lost."
"Yes, very likely."
"Well, she'd take some other measures to warn the man; you've been deceived, old man!"
"I hope you're mistaken, or it will be bad for Renie. I tell you the men will be raging mad if the detective slips through their nets to-night."
"They will be, and now you recognize the necessity of turning the girl over to me."
"I've been thinking over that matter."
"You remember what I promised you?"
"Yes, yes; but suppose he should come?"
"Who should come?"
The old smuggler had spoken the words in a thoughtful manner, and the question was really addressed to himself. The old smuggler recognised that he had made a startling admission and remained silent.
Garcia said:
"I suppose you mean the day might come when someone will appear to claim the girl, and you will lose a large sum of money?"
"No; no; you do not know what I mean, you have never heard the girl's strange history."
"I know she is not your child."
"Yes; you forced that confession from me a long time ago."
"Tell me the girl's history."
"I dare not."
"Does she know the tale?"
"No."
"She believes herself your child?"
"I think she has a suspicion that she is not my child, but she loves me."
"Has she ever asked you whether or not she is your child?"
"Never!"
"Nor hinted?"
"No."
"Then why do you say she suspects that she is not your child?"
"Well, from many little things I have been led to suspect that. She herself has a suspicion of the real truth."
"You must then tell me her history."
"I dare not."
"Listen old man, I am her friend and your friend; this is no place for Renie; when she was a mere child it was all right, but now it is not safe. You must give her to me! and listen; should anyone ever come to claim her, she shall be surrendered, and you will receive any reward that may be paid!"
"I do not think anyone will ever come for her, but could I solve one mystery I know where to look."
"For what?"
"Her friends."
CHAPTER VI.
Garcia was evidently, as the listening detective discerned, a very shrewd, quick-witted man.
He fixed his keen dark eyes on the old smuggler, and said:
"There is something you are keeping back from me; come now, I will pay you one hundred dollars to tell me Renie's history."
"You will give a hundred dollars?" Pearce exclaimed, in an eager tone.
"Yes, I will."
"You will pay the money right down?"
"Yes."
"I will show the letter."
The old man went down in his pocket, and drew